In his Thanksgiving Day 2002 proclamation, President George W. Bush wrote, "As we welcome new opportunities and face new challenges, we are thankful for the resolve and generosity of so many of our people who are touching countless hearts and souls through thoughtful acts of kindness."

Through the President's USA Freedom Corps or an individual commitment to their local school, church, or senior center, thousands of Americans discovered this year that in touching someone else's life, they enrich their own - and their communities.

HUD plays an important role in supporting the nation's charitable work. HUD dollars are helping to educate homebuyers in Albuquerque and house the homeless in Albany. We are helping seniors in Des Moines find compassionate care in their older years, and in Denver, we are making homes more accessible for people with disabilities. Because HUD stepped in, homes in Baltimore once contaminated by lead paint are welcoming new residents, while countless low-income families in Boise are climbing the ladder to self-sufficiency. And of course, HUD is very much a part of New York City's rebuilding and recovery.

At the heart of HUD are the employees who make all of this possible. I am thankful this holiday season for the passion that you, the men and women of HUD, bring to your work. You, too, "are touching countless hearts and souls," and your contributions are appreciated.